NEWBURGH — Give him the ball during the most pressurized moments of the game. Let him take the big shot. Make him guard the other team's most dangerous player.

Newburgh Free Academy guard Jerry Hall says bring it. You usually don't see this kind of moxie, this kind of fearlessness, from a first-year varsity player. But it's the truth: Hall has never backed down.

Why?

In part, it's where Hall is from. He grew up playing in the streets of Newburgh. His drive was stoked further after he sat out last season due to an attendance issue.

This is Hall's senior year. This is his last shot.

"Jerry is a tough Newburgh kid," Newburgh coach Matt Brown said. "He's the kind of kid you want on your team. He comes out and he plays fearless. Jerry doesn't back down from anyone."

Added Newburgh point guard Donovan Fields: "Jerry has a lot of heart and hunger. That's how he's played his whole life. It translates through basketball."

Fields, a junior, and Hall make up one of the best backcourts in Section 9. Fueled by his quickness, Fields made a name for himself last year with his shooting ability and ball-handling skills. The 2011-12 season could have also served as Hall's coming-out party.

As a sophomore, Hall averaged 17 points for Newburgh's jayvee team, which Brown coached. When he was hired as Newburgh's varsity coach only weeks before last season, he figured Hall could be an impact player. However, according to Brown, Hall was forced to sit out because he didn't attend enough physical education classes.

Brown said that players must attend 90 percent of all of their classes to remain eligible.

"I missed basketball a lot, I struggled with it," Hall said. "I messed up and will never slack off. I really wanted to play last year. Last year could have been my breakout year. This season, I could have been on the next level."

Still, Hall is making an impact for the Goldbacks, once again a Section 9 Class AA contender. He's averaging 14 points per game for Newburgh (6-2). Hall can shoot the jumper, including from long range, drive and plays intense defense.

He does it all with a glare and confidence. Like he's been here before.

"I was just confident as a kid," Hall said. "Wherever you go to play, you have to be tough. If you are soft, it isn't going to work out. I'm just glad to be able to play this year because myself and a lot of other people were looking forward to it."